Necker danger!

[StJon]

While working on a design project for my student group, involving lanyard carry, I had to get them to consider some sort of breakaway as a safety factor. This got me thinking about my own safety in the woods when I carry my necker on 550 paracord. I’ve put on the beef over crimbo, but I’m not going to snap that cord if it was to catch on a branch in a fall and in a panic situation will I be able to reach for my knife? Anyone have any thoughts or put any thing in place?
StJon

 

[shaggystu]

i keep my grandfathers wedding ring on a paracord lanyard around my kneck all the time (if i ever get round to getting married it'll go on my finger, until then i like to keep it close). i use a noose, as in the kind of thing that we used to dangle criminals from, because it's really safe. i just tie a normal noose with whatever i want to hang around my kneck in the loop, then adjust the noose until it's the right size for me and simply trim off the excess (spl?). properly tied i've never had one fail on me and never had the slightest concern that it wouldn't fail to fail if i needed it too (does that make sense?)

hope that helps

stuart

 

[JonathanD]

I wouldn't worry about it. You stand more chance of getting strangled by the neck of a T-shirt in the same way as it is a smaller diameter. In the unlikely event that it did happen, the larger loop of the lanyard would allow you to remove it, and there is a knife attached to cut it off if things are really grim.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Posted this a while ago, a simple knot that can be pulled quite tight but will still break-away should the need arise.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Graham_S]

I've joined the paracord ends with electrical heatshrink in the past, that works.

 

[Hoodoo]

I've joined the paracord ends with electrical heatshrink in the past, that works.

I don't get concerned about it. I always remove the knife whenever I'm around machinery and such and never wear one canoeing. However, I have made a few breakaways. One thing you can do is join the paracord ends with thread. Just lay the ends side-by-side and make a few wraps around the strands and tie a knot. You can experiment with thread until you find the right amount you feel comfy with. Another is to gut the paracord and replace the core with a chain. Gives you the comfort of the nylon next to your skin and the safety of the chain, which should break before your neck does. I've used the shrink wrap too but I've also had paracord slip apart at the joint. Also, if you wear the knife baldric style, it is safer, although again, I'm not personally too concerned with the threat, as long as some common sense is used.

 

[ol smokey]

Cant speak for neckers or paracord round the neck, but I once nearly became a cropper when I was swept under low branches when canoeing and got my Anorack
hood caught up. If it had not been for the branch, which was quite substantial, giving way and breaking, I might have had my chips. If i was to use a garment with a hood again when canoeing, I would make sure that it was tucked down inside instead of hanging down my back.

 

[Stuart69]

I use these break-away connectors, they work well Link

 

[andynic]

I would feel like it would come lose with a breakaway how about velcro attachment with a quick release. I used to do a lot of kite boarding and the kites had quite a few different safety breakaways and if you got hung up you always managed to get to the safety pull tap.

 

[SimonM]

I carry my necker on paracord diagonally across my body, by putting one arm through the loop. I find it comfier that way, easier to tuck out of the way (up under my armpit) and it makes it nigh on impossible to strangle me...

Simon

 

[Sniper]

When I wear my knecker it's usually tucked under my jacket or smock except when I'm actually using it, if I got hung up for any reason, cos the knife is there to hand I don't worry about it happening, probably got more chance of winning the lottery and then "er indoors" bumping me off for the dosh is a greater risk :yikes:

 

[Tjurved]

Carry a knife around your neck I find crazy no matter what fastening you use. I can't understand where that dangerous way of carry a knife has come from? Who started it?

 

[rik_uk3]

What are the benefits of wearing a knife on cord around your neck; how is it better than the traditional round the waist method?

 

[Sniper]

A knecker is much smaller so I find it easier for certain things and prefer it worn that way, handy to get to etc. My usual general purpose knife is on my belt in the usual fashion. It may not be to everyones taste but it is to mine I like it worn that way and find it very practical.

 

[ex-member Raikey]

TBH i,d rather go with the very small risk of a lonley, painfull, strangulation situation, than having a breakaway knot that would risk me losing one of my treasures!

 

[redandshane]

I was pondering thsi so i googled and found this article which would perhaps be more at home at BB but its relevant here as well

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_50/ai_n6081531/

Personally I use a knife on a cord round my neck when base camping and bimbling around camp area
Usual reason its handy

 

[bigbear]

I carry a light neck knife on thin leather, it would break before it strangled me- and as has been said, the knife is at hand....

 

[StJon]

Thanks for the input and the article,
jon

 

[susi]

Carry a knife around your neck I find crazy no matter what fastening you use. I can't understand where that dangerous way of carry a knife has come from? Who started it?

I agree.

I can't imagine a situation where it is "easier" to lift my hands from their usual place somewhere near my waist, all the way up to my chest to find my knife. Surely much easier to just use a belt sheath.

Only two things ever around my neck: binoculars and ice-spikes

 

[ex-member Raikey]

Carry a knife around your neck I find crazy no matter what fastening you use. I can't understand where that dangerous way of carry a knife has come from? Who started it?

could you elaborate a little on how its more dangerous than a compass or pair of bino's? (we know the choking risk as its the reason for the thread)

i think if the user is likely to cut him/herself then maybe carrying and using a blade full stop isnt such a good idea wherever or however its carried..

I agree.

I can't imagine a situation where it is "easier" to lift my hands from their usual place somewhere near my waist, all the way up to my chest to find my knife. Surely much easier to just use a belt sheath.

Only two things ever around my neck: binoculars and ice-spikes

maybe you should have the bino's and sharp dangerous ice spikes in a belt pouch then??

hahaha ok a little silly but have you tried a small fixed blade in an inverted neck carry?

i spend quite a bit of time "messing" in the woods and for me, in my honest opinion, to pull a small utility blade from this position is a lot easier than from the belt.

not being argumentative at all but i genuinly see the benifit,....

i also carry a 4 inch + fixed blade on my belt (and went thru a full weekend in camp recently with it on my belt and never touched it)

Cheers

Stu